Jeremiah Evans testifies in Bell County murder trial

PINEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - Tuesday, the fourth person charged in connection to the murder of 91-year old William Taylor testified in the murder trial for the three other defendants.

Last year, Jeremiah Evans took a plea deal and pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit murder. As part of the plea deal, he agreed to testify against Brian Hatfield, Deborah Partin, and Candy Maiden who are charged with murder.

In January of 2008, police say Taylor was beaten in his home in Frakes. He died one week later from his injuries.

Evans says he drove the other three to the home but claims he never laid a hand on Taylor.

Tuesday on the stand, Jeremiah Evans admitted he bought and used Oxycontin pills the night of January 14th, 2008. He says sometime during the night, Brian Hatfield, Deborah Partin, and Candy Maiden asked him to drive them to William Taylor's home in Frakes to borrow money. Evans says he stayed in his truck while they went inside.

He claims Hatfield then threatened to hurt his family if he told anyone.

During cross-examination, Candy Maiden's defense attorneys took issue with Evans saying he did not know of the beating. They say the plea agreement he signed in court says he knowingly committed the crime.

"You signed that?" the attorney asked. "Yes." Evans answered. "Saying you were guilty?" the attorney asked. "Yes," he replied."So you knew what was going on. So you lied under oath?" the attorney questioned. "I took them there to borrow money," Evans replied.

The defense attorneys cross-examination of Evans continues on Wednesday.

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